james, it may not be Whirlpool, it may just be that it's a new Whirlpool. The older machines used metal for transmission couplings, whereas the new ones use plastic, as you've found out. The plastic ones don't need to be lubricated and are cheaper, but don't last as long. I'm sure an older Whirlpool would have lasted nearly as long as your parents Maytag, or at least longer than your new one did.
(sorry for the off-topic post)
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d^_^b Got my headphones on.
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